Where does anthem issue go from here?

Posted by Mike Florio on September 25, 2017, 3:35 PM EST

AP

Sunday’s anthem protests seemed to be more about responding to the Commander-in-Chief’s challenge than the issues that sparked kneeling and sitting in the first place (although concerns regarding racial equality and equal justice surely remain). Now that the NFL has both pushed back against the profane remarks of the President and rallied together in an unprecedented display of unity, what happens next?

For starters, Week Three hasn’t ended. The Cardinals and Cowboys on Monday night will surely add to the demonstrations that have occurred, with particular attention being paid to the franchise known as America’s Team, whose head coach and owner have made their positions clear regarding the anthem issue. Indeed, the Dallas Cowboys are the only team who have said nothing at all in response to the President’s comments. While they’re expected to issue a statement closer to kickoff of tonight’s game, the fact that an owner who always has something to say about anything and everything has had nothing to say about this very important matter is conspicuous, to say the least.

Next comes Week Four. The league, we’re told, believes and hopes that the President will move on to other things, allowing the NFL and its players to focus on the efforts that previously had begun to create and advance a dialogue between players and law enforcement and to engage in other efforts aimed at improving their communities. The goal will be, in short, to continue to move from protest to progress.

This assumes that the President stops talking and tweeting about anthem protests, urging fans to not watch or attend NFL games, and/or trolling the league regarding bad ratings or rules that make the game less violent and, in turn, less interesting. If he keeps it up, the league and the players will feel compelled to continue to respond.

To the extent that some believe the President intended to create division within the NFL, its teams, and its players, the best way for the President to truly divide could be to say nothing more about it. Some players will want to continue to protest. Some players eventually may be inclined to resist, arguing that with the President no longer taking shots at the players, there’s no reason for the players to continue to react. It could be a recipe for, in time, a problem in one or more locker rooms.

Then there’s the question of whether the owners who supported the President in the past have undergone an epiphany or whether they’ll continue to support the President once this issue dies down. Surely, they aren’t surprised by the tone or the content of remarks, especially since the President previously had made public comments about anthem protests and safety measures long before Friday night. Now that he has done a cannon ball into the shallow end of their swimming pool, will they kick him out for the weekend, or for good?

However it all plays out, there’s a good chance this situation remains closer to the beginning than the end.

Where’s it all going? We live on a planet of finite resources with an economic policy that demands infinite growth, I’ll give you one guess where this is all going, to an unsustainable end. These are just the distractions from the reality of the present situation. You’re trapped on a rock floating in space, your resources are dwindling and population is exploding… good luck.

I applaud the unity of the NFL players and owners. I respect the message of the kneeling players, but feel like anyone who has served in the military or is in a military family is turned off by the kneeling during the anthem. I think they need to take the next step with their message. Organize peaceful lectures, t-shirts, rallies all focusing on the the message of love and unity.

Great of them to use their platform, not its time to take the next step!

I applaud the unity of the NFL players and owners. I respect the message of the kneeling players, but feel like anyone who has served in the military or is in a military family is turned off by the kneeling during the anthem. I think they need to take the next step with their message. Organize peaceful lectures, t-shirts, rallies all focusing on the the message of love, positivity, and unity.

Great of them to use their platform, now its time to take the next step!

Unless the President becomes conciliatory toward the NFL, the issue will worsen and spiral downward and the “cancer” will worsen amongst fans and players. (Hey-I am not allowed to voice my political or religious opinions at my job, but these guys do. They make millions more than me, they are privileged to be where they are economically and I beat my butt to support them week and out.) The NFL is no longer entertaining or fun. It has become a struggle to justify the CTE, the protests, the elitism, and especially the hypocrisy of Goodell and NFLPA. Goodbye and good luck. I have to go take a shower now.

Maybe America will finally become the military dictatorship so many of its citizens want it to be. Who knows? The only thing we can count on these days is that President Game Show Host will continue to act like a child, and millions will defend him.

redclaw1314 says:
September 25, 2017 at 3:36 pm
What are they protesting about again?
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I think it has something to do with the big, mean, evil, racist law enforcement agencies in this country arresting criminals (how dare they!!) and not liking Trump….but I’ve lost track as well. The whole thing is beyond stupid.

redclaw1314 says:
September 25, 2017 at 3:36 pm
What are they protesting about again?

haha. it’s amazing – with a series of tweets, The Donald was able to get half the league kneeling and the nation’s media and citizens obsessed over the NFL/Protests…isn’t half of California on fire and didn’t you guys just endure a series of devastating hurricanes that still need attention and relief? oh, and the North Korea thing? America, you are letting this troll in the white house play you. you’re better than this.

You and the rest of the media will continue to drive it into the ground because that’s where the ratings are. Increasingly, people are more invested in the political talk than the games themselves. For week 3, all pre-game show ratings were up significantly, but the ratings of the actual games dropped.

Nobody’s stance re: anthem protests will actually change, and each side will wield the stick it always has in beating this horse. Anyone who was apt to change sides or alter their viewpoint on this would’ve already done so 100 articles and segments ago.

It would be nice if everyone would grow up a little. Both the president and the players can stop walkinging around with chips on their shoulders and the news media can talk about football instead of politics because each party is creating division. Not just the president.

2 its taking attention away from issues such as healthcare and investagations

3 it appeals to his base support

I have no dog in this fight but it seems to me that it would be better to sit down and talk rather than swap insults I would rather that respect was shown to all vets in medical and physical and mental health care than show support for standing for a flag and ignoring all those issues when you are a leader you are supposed to listen to all points of view not shout out what will get you heard and not actually take a positive step to understand the situation

if you think he supports the military just read what he said about Sen. Mc Cain being a POW

Chris Combs says:
September 25, 2017 at 3:42 pm
You are missing the fact that NFL ratings are declining and will continue to decline. Quit disrespecting the flag and our country.
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‘The goal will be, in short, to continue to move from protest to progress.”

We aren’t progressing we’re going backwards towards pre civil rights movement racial tension. Identity politics are not working, it’s causing more division and more racism. Progressives may think this is progress and they’re doing a good thing, but it’s having a reverse effect. People are becoming more alienated and more extreme. Scrap this strategy for the welfare of society. If you truly care about racism then please look at yourself critically and ask if you’re helping or hurting. I think most people have good intentions but they are being misled and are unaware how their rhetoric is counterproductive.

The NFL could just stop airing it on TV. Just start broadcasts with the kickoff. I’ve seen many a broadcast where they are at commercial or the announcers are breaking down the game over top of it. Stop showing it, and this whole thing goes away. Very simple.

The whole kneeling down thing is out of control. The players aren’t even sure what the protest is about or what the resolution is supposed to be. They are actually hurting only themselves as ratings go down so will the salary cap. Just stand up for the 60 seconds or so…remember Pat Tillman losing his life in Afghanistan. Protest on your own time. All the money the players make, how about making your own protest commercial and airing it before your game? There are other ways.

Hey you clowns…. the flag is not just about the veterans or the police that Trump keeps referring to. It is about what makes our country great and that is freedom of expression and diversity. Trump and the average NFL yahoo is against this!!

The national anthem is to honor the greatest country in the world. And its a tribute to those those who’ve lost and given their lives in order for ALL of us to have the freedoms we enjoy and allow us be able to give the opinions we all have and live the lives we chose to live.

So why the players keep disrespecting the flag and the anthem for racial injustices it is insulting to many Americans. I understand the anger and feelings as I to am
a minority but just think it’s being handled disrespectfully to our country and those who’ve fought and died for ALL OF US

Wouldn’t it be great if we could all have a giant kumbaya moment for players and everybody during the national anthem at football games? But we have a president supported by way too many people who are okay with neo-Nazis marching around while outraged that kneeling football players are disrespectful of the people who protect our country. This is why we can’t have nice things.

And how many who are against the players not standing, sitting there at home or FF through the anthem when watching on TV?
And then they become and act like Mr. Patriotic over this when they don’t stand themselves.

Also for the ones that have “boycotted” or “quit watching” or “switched teams”. Please get off our NFL websites you are fair weather fans
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Not if you were a Lions fan, many of us did that years ago or risked losing our minds.

Leave the teams in the Tunnels until after the Anthem, The players that want to come out and stand will implement the changes.
In this World of forcing everybody to change their way of life so as not to Offend Minorities,
Where is it the other way around? Where are our rights as Anglo Americans?

Perhaps if some folks started to point fingers at the REAL reason young Black men get shot, there would be no need for this. Forever the Victim. Don’t you see the REALITY DON’T want true equality, They WANT special treatment, to get preferred spots over better qualified applicants at Jobs, Loans and Colleges

Where does NFL FB go from here? The teams that do not allow this to fracture their locker room will thrive on the field, the others will die a slow death. Talk about the ultimate distraction! FB coaches hate distractions! Losing games while protesting will call for changes regarding said protest. Players are (over)paid to play and give 100% to the team. If you have anther agenda, well…..you just might find yourself unemployed. CK.

Enough already. Trump needs to do his job and work for this Country and make it better. Stop Tweeting! NFL Players need to get back to doing their job which is playing football not politics. If you feel that you need to make a difference then spend your offseason putting time into meeting lawmakers, politicians, etc. Quit screwing up our favorite pastime by turning into a political forum. Everyone that I talk to is getting fed up with all of it. Kneeling down, hiding in the locker room etc. will change nothing other than cause you even more attendance an ratings drop. Do something meaningful during your 6-months off and try to effect change that way.

Chris Combs says:
September 25, 2017 at 3:42 pm
You are missing the fact that NFL ratings are declining and will continue to decline. Quit disrespecting the flag and our country.

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Or you could say that the NFL is by far the most popular sporting league in the US and also the most popular TV show that exists by a very large margin. Now the ratings have declined it is still the most popular TV show that exists by a very large margin and will continue to be the most popular by a very large margin.

Why even bother playing the Natl. Anthem at all anymore?
Sports is the only place that I know of where it is done on a regular basis.
I get it that there are those who are happy and proud to be Americans and all that. But there are other places to express it.
Why this tradition of only doing it at each and every start of every pro, and sometimes, amateur game?
There is something about the whole thing that just seems out of place and wonky.
I’m there to watch a game. Not share in being an American. I have other places for that.
In the meantime, I will continue sitting down as a spectator.

12% of players took a knee, you’re either VERY bad at math or
just trying desperately to support “your” narrative.
So it is “profane” to suggest citizens
respect their flag, country and national anthem?

Hopefully the fans who actually love, respect and cherish this great nation will tune out and send the NFL and these ingrates a clear message. Yes you can protest and that is your right, but I don’t need to spend my time or money on your product.

The answer to your query, Florio is simple. The anthem ‘protests’ will continue and so will the decline in ratings and attendance. For every action, there is a reaction. Actions have consequences and the NFL is about to feel the adverse affect this will continue to have on their bottom line.

Remember last month how everyone thought some 100+ year old statues were the cause of all woe in our nation and had to be removed at any cost?

Yeah, I barely remember, either.

And that’s the fate of this kneeling nonsense. It does zero to solve the problem it purports to bring awareness to. And when the media’s drained all the ratings they can from this story, those vultures will move on to some other phony crisis or overhyped issue.

What will be left? Needless antagonism between the NFL, the players, and the fans.

President Trump didn’t cloud anything…he clearly stated his take on the matter, as is his first amendment right. Players are employees and therefore not protected under the first amendment. They can state their cause/thoughts/beliefs outside the NFL field of play. The flag and anthem they are disrespecting represents the country and warriors that has provided them the platform to earn a wonderful living playing a game. I coach HS football and they see what the players do on tv and ask…why. The players are not promoting unity. In fact, it is the polar opposite, but then again, that is what the divider in-chief, who preceeded POTUS Trump wanted…disunity, division, unrest. Be careful NFL players…you are alienating the folks who make your game and profession possible.

Maybe we could acknowledge that it happened and vow to never speak another word about it? Sports seems among the last bastions of sanity in the toxic political culture in which we live. This is why people want to “stick to sports”. 95% of life outside of it is dominated by bickering and petty philosophical arguments. Can’t we all just leave this unsullied?

I wonder how many of those against the players freedom to protest are also those of the belief that soldiers fight and die for our freedoms?
If you really, and truly believe that soldiers fight and die for our freedoms then you will recognize that they have the freedom to protest.
If you don’t recognize that, then you have zero clue as to what freedom really is.

This just in from NFL headquarters, next week all NFL Employees will be allowed to wear socks where police officers are portrayed as pigs! Might as well double down I guess! You’ll get a lot of support from Hollywood.

I’ll bet the majority of the NFL players agree with Trump. Even after Sunday’s ‘unity’, only 200 or so players didn’t stand out of 1700 players and coaches. Very few paying fans knelt during the anthem too. These kneelers are in the minority.

-Media outlets will continue to politicize the issue, despite the issue being cultural, not political.

-Some people will continue to (wrongly) allege this is a 1st amendment issue.

-Assuming that the protests/kneeling continues, ratings will fall significantly. If they don’t the ratings will not fully recover as those who gave up football in protest recognize that a Sunday without the NFL isn’t a bad Sunday at all.

-A panicking league office under immense pressure from networks and sponsors will eventually come up with something like an “expression/outreach month” to try to channel the player’s protests away from the field with the compromise that the players won’t kneel during the national anthem.

-A segment of the population will continue refusing to see the ridiculous irony of a league that is obsessed with controlling every action and word of the player’s mouths but is fine with its players making controversial political statements.

-99.9% of the players in this league will continue to do nothing for their communities.

One thing we know about Trump is that he won’t stop poking the bear so the NFL can forget about that.

This wasn’t a problem until media picked it up and all the channels started showing the National Anthem on TV. Before that it was just show during playoffs. So stop showing it on TV and it will go away or at least nobody will care. Let them do it, the stadium is only have full at that time anyway because half of the fans are still buying hot dogs and beer.

I supported Kap last year when many didn’t. I feel protests are no longer about the same thing, it has become about the players. They seem to be confused in that they think we need them. Personally, they could fire every single protester, replace them and I wouldn’t know the difference. I looked forward to football this year as an opportunity to get away from the news and talk football. But nooooooo, its got to be about anything but football. I am sickened by the whole thing, it’s bad enough I had to stop watching espn (obvious reasons) now I’m going to have to stop watching football. I was looking forward to watching my Cowboys tonight but read an article saying they were planning a team protest. I suppose I will just have to protest the game tonight by not watching. No one cares specifically whether or not I protest but I’m betting I’m not the only one that is fed up.

You bunch of cry babies need to learn the codes of what really constitutes disrespecting the flag. Kneeling is nowhere on that list but holding a flag horizontally is. You know, just like the above picture. Google it and learn something.

So tired of all the high horse folks boycotting the NFL because the players are exercising their right to peaceful protest. The NFL will be fine without you. Go back to yelling at kids to “get off your lawn” and the rest of us will continue to enjoy our nations pastime.

Keep the Teams in the Tunnels, and ban cameras and reporters from them. See problem solved! The the players that WANT to stand will fix the issue behind closed doors.
Either that or Ignore them, it’s their loss. I’m standing!

Stop reporting about it & it will go away. The more attention you give it, the more it will grow. Media is the cause of the growth of this thing. If you guys would never have given Krapernick any attention, it wouldn’t be where it is today.

I’m amazed at how clueless the media and the NFL is about what has happened here. The damage the NFL has done to itself through this is probably irreparable. Sunday night’s ratings were down 10% and it’s going to get dramatically worse. The only solution might be to fire Goodell (who is disliked by everyone)and have the new commissioner reestablish authority – which would be very difficult now. The fact is I think it will be almost impossible for the NFL to recover. They’ve poisoned their own drink.

“Maybe America will finally become the military dictatorship so many of its citizens want it to be. Who knows? The only thing we can count on these days is that President Game Show Host will continue to act like a child, and millions will defend him.”

And millions of people who didn’t vote for him will continue to throw their nine-month-and-counting tantrum that their candidate didn’t win the election. The previous president did a lot of things in office that were just as disrespectful, if not overt in his actions, and yet anyone who didn’t agree with him needed to be fired from their jobs.

It’s funny that this is all being blamed on the president. This has been an issue in the league for over a year. The media and the individuals involved made it a political issue before Trump was president. Let the players take a knee, as long as they can do so for ANY issue that they feel is appropriate. What would Bob Costas be saying if players were “standing in solidarity” for the millions of African Americans killed via abortion?

The NFL needs to draft a memo stating that any team that doesn’t fully comply with the NFL rule that states that every team is required to stand for the National Anthem is subject to a 5 million dollar fine, per occurrence.

faithful49er707 says:
September 25, 2017 at 4:01 pm
The national anthem is to honor the greatest country in the world. And its a tribute to those those who’ve lost and given their lives in order for ALL of us to have the freedoms we enjoy and allow us be able to give the opinions we all have and live the lives we chose to live.

So why the players keep disrespecting the flag and the anthem for racial injustices it is insulting to many Americans. I understand the anger and feelings as I to am
a minority but just think it’s being handled disrespectfully to our country and those who’ve fought and died for ALL OF US

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Pretty sure it’s because racial injustice is part of the American story, too, and continues to be.

I wouldn’t put it pass the NFL to decide not to play the National Anthem before the games because they are afraid that they might offend the players if they told them to stand there like grown men and behave themselves. That will be their way out of it.

Then of course they will need to peel off that flag decal on the helmets.

That’s a good question. Yesterday I think was pretty much a reaction to President Trump. Even if he continues being a jerk I can’t see the mass of players being able to sustain this. I’m sure most of them are more interested in playing the game.
Besides, if it continues week in week out, if nothing else it will lose any meaningful impact it might have at the moment.

I can’t believe no has remembered that Trump was a USFL owner that won a $1.00 lawsuit against the NFL. Do you think he has always been bitter about that? Now he’s gotten a chance to divide the NFL and has succeeded. Of course, everyone has played into his hand. I guess I’m old and no one else remembers this!

The problem is some people think the protests disrespect the flag and their country. But it’s not just their country it’s OUR country. A nation evolves and its people have to respect that we are a diverse place with differing views and that’s what makes this country great.

Maybe if we had more dignity in the White House we could argue for dignity on NFL fields when the anthem is played. But we have to wait 3 years and 3 months for that.

So according to some people using the name, “Redskins” offends some (not all) Native American’s. I can understand and respect that. My question is why aren’t these same people upset when some (not all) Veterans are offended at anthem protests?

I can’t believe no has remembered that Trump was a USFL owner that won a $1.00 lawsuit against the NFL. Do you think he has always been bitter about that?
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He’s spoken very candidly on that.

He said he hoped the suit was his way into the NFL.. essentially he was hoping damages rewarded in the win would translate into an NFL franchise. It didn’t work out that way, obviouisly.

.. the players should worship him! More than anything in the late-80’s, the USFL was responsible for an enormous salary spike as it created a free market system years before the NFL was forced to allow free agency.

tb12kingofthe7kingdoms says:
September 25, 2017 at 4:35 pm
This sums it all up: Spoiled millionaires are protesting the President for using free speech, while protesting the right for free speech. Seems legit.
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They’re protesting him using the most powerful office in the world to make derogatory comments about their MOTHERS and tell their bosses to fire them. And sadly…we’re actually talking about the President of the United States of America who made this comment.

The league will continue to lose support and money until they put this to rest. I expect the league will send one of Trump’s friends (Kraft, perhaps) to visit the White House and declare a truce…

If they don’t end it before the next weekend’s games, i believe there will be irrepressible damage done to the NFL.

The other parties that will be hurt are the Networks who pay top dollar to reach so many people. When attendance drops, the Network’s add revenue will also drop. For that reason, I expect the Networks to stop showing the protests before each game – because it will be in their best interest to do so. Eventually, they will realize (like the players) that their activities are hurting their own income.

Trump has nothing to lose in this game, which is why he is unlikely to let it rest…

Assuming Trump shuts the heck up. Then its a matter of if the media see it as a draw to their programming. (If they stop talking about it, its gone in a couple weeks) The protests themselves are doing nothing. The point of them is watered down, and even if it wasn’t, the point has been made. Now its about the event not the purpose.

The whole issue the protesters are talking about is all part of a bigger social issue which no one will acknowledge cause that would mean accepting blame and no one will do that. Its easier to blame others.

It maybe a surprise to most, that protesting isn’t a free and open as common folks might think. If you want to protest, typically it needs to be registered with the city, and scheduled to occur between a given time frame. There are restrictions on signage, and how people behave in the “protest”. With this in mind, how is it impeding on anyones rights to secure 2 minutes to only honor our flag and country during the national anthem? You’ve got your whole life, but instead you want to “protest”, at work, and disrespect the flag in favor of your agenda? I don’t get it.

70 percent of fans asked about the protests have indicated they don’t like it. The players have taken it upon themselves to use that platform anyway, disregarding what the fans think. They apparently don’t care if their livelihood is greatly affected and millions of fans leave, so screw them. When I have to listen to a Dolt like Mike Tomlin complain about a 3-tour Army Ranger standing and respecting his country, it speaks volumes about the state of affairs in the NFL curtrently. I don’t think anyone realizes the magnitude of the backlash that is coming from this in terms of ratings.

The NFL is an entertainment company. They need to learn very quickly to keep politics and protests out of the league. I can turn the games off with no problem. My life will go on without NFL football. Can NFL football go on without the fans? Their ratings are tanking. I will give them the same treatment I give Hollywood actors who piss me off; I won’t buy ticket to their movies, and if the NFL doesn’t shut up and stick to sports exclusively, I will stop watching games entirely. I have already cut my viewing in half. I can go to zero quite easily.

It’s comical to me that these flag and anthem protestors talk about unity. We will never be unified as long as their are people protesting and disrespecting our flag. The only that can unite us is the flag. It is the only thing that we as Americans have in common. We are an extreme diverse population United under the flag. If you destroy the flag, you completely divide the country.

What we know as our national anthem is only the first verse of many that were written by Francis Scott Key and the song as a whole reflects a time in out nation’s history that was full of racisim, bigotry and hatred. At the time of it’s composition the land of the “free”did not include everyone that was in living in America.

Unprecedented display of unity? 150 people participated. That is not even 10% of the NFL. Such a misleading statement. The anthem issue will go nowhere when in the next agreement the commish and owners shut it down…prompted by a massive loss in ratings.

I hope in the end the No Fan Left business fails for its treatment of the American flag and conservative base. Us fans and taxpayers has carried this league of billionaires and millionaires for far too long. Will vote against your bills for a new stadium in my city
ypu sob’s!

“the efforts that previously had begun to create and advance a dialogue between players and law enforcement”

What efforts for what dialog? They have done nothing but shake their fists at law enforcement. The Dallas players that wanted to show their support for their slain officers were ordered not to. The entire thing is one sided. This is no dialog, its a lecture. Except that after Trump blew their minds this week its not even that any more.

lukedunphysscienceproject says:
September 25, 2017 at 4:54 pm
Might be nice if someone reminded Donald Trump that Puerto Rico was in the United States.

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He ordered the military in there to help right after the storm passed and they have been working since to clear the harbor so the aid ships could get in. They have also been airlifting food and water. As the harbor is now getting clear they are bringing in generators to distribute so there can be electricity until the infrastructure can be rebuilt. And of course now that they can land heavy equipment the clearing can get underway.

Just because there was no magic wand to fix it all in a day doesnt mean he isnt paying attention.

Trump’s whole “respect the flag” thing is just a hoax. First, when he has the chance to serve during Viet Nam he finagled five deferrals to avoid the war. Second, he mocked war hero POW John MccCain for getting captured. If he really cared about our flag he would call for the removal of the the Confederate flag. The flag of rebellion against the United States. He is just trying to keep his base in line by throwing them some red meat.

Does anyone here know what needs to happen to stop the protests, and when will we know when that ‘thing’ actually happens?
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This thing started when one guys radical girlfriend talked him into it. Then a couple other guys wanted attention. Then our president wanted to stir things up with his extreme base. Now we are on a road to nowhere.

I think the NFL and the players need to agree to something, so they can get away from this and somehow save face. It’s not good for anyone

I’m still trying to figure out how this all ties into NFL football. I mean if my boss is paying me to play football then that’s what I only should be doing. If I want to protest then I should do it ON MY OWN TIME. How hard is that for ANYONE to understand? Fans turn on the TV to watch pro football not protests. If we wanted to watch protesters then we’d watch CNN.

Cram it players, I really don’t care what you think. I watch to see you run, pass, or kick the ball, and to see the other team try to stop it. I don’t say political stuff at my job, and you can bet I would have issues if I did. This is no different, mess around on your own time and stop ruining the game!

The whole issue the protesters are talking about is all part of a bigger social issue which no one will acknowledge cause that would mean accepting blame and no one will do that. Its easier to blame others.

11 31 Rate This
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Accepting blame, like when you make bad life decisions?
Blame others, like when you blame everyone else for your bad life decision making?

I love NFL football, even though the quality of this product has arguably declined with every subsequent CBA.

But I love this country much more, despite its imperfections. It still is the greatest country in the world even with those imperfections!

The NFL and its players apparently love the country less because of those imperfections, and though their protest of the Flag and the National Anthem is basically a slap in the face of every veteran and all active military personnel and their families, it is their constitutional right to protest…a right which veterans fought for them to have and a right our active military will continue to fight for them to keep despite all the slaps in the face they get from the NFL and its players as “thanks” in return.

But as not merely an NFL fan, but more importantly as a legal citizen of the United States, seeing this utterly spoiled ingratitude for our country, its freedoms, and the people who gave their lives that we might enjoy these freedoms, means that I too now have the right to protest in return by boycotting the NFL and its sponsors.

The NFL is free to show and enjoy its “solidarity” together in the way it has, just as I and many others can now show our “solidarity” with our service men and women by boycotting you and your sponsors.

The sitting and kneeling was never meant to begin a conversation. A conversation implies a willingness on both sides to listen and consider the other side’s position. The kneeling and sitting are a lecture. They have no intention of altering their position since it’s based on a false narrative. They can’t back down now as they’d be exposed for what they really are. The fact that more whites a killed by police is dismissed and spun into the percentage game since evidently white lives don’t matter as much to the kneelers and sitters. They have no honest response to this inconvenient truth. Any serious questioning of their position is met with accusations of racism. This is not how one starts a conversation.

What we know as our national anthem is only the first verse of many that were written by Francis Scott Key and the song as a whole reflects a time in out nation’s history that was full of racisim, bigotry and hatred. At the time of it’s composition the land of the “free”did not include everyone that was in living in America.

So the Millionaires are still not happy with the way things are going in this country? Hmmm so if I did this at my job I would likely be fired! These over paid people are getting a lot of money to play FOOTBALL! Keep your own POLITICAL views out of this and just play! It’s that simple. Either try to do something about it or JUST LEAVE THE USA! Bye! Really Pathetic!